HOWE ROOM: Leslie’s crew out duels Chisholm in row-off

Federal New Democrat Leader Tom Mulcair paid a visit to the Halifax area last week where he did some schmoozing, saw some sights and even judged a rowing competition — sort of.

After putting in some time at the Assembly of First Nations annual meeting and touring the Halifax waterfront, Mulcair, along with Halifax MP Megan Leslie and Dartmouth-Cole Harbour MP Robert Chisholm, crossed the harbour to Dartmouth to check out the rowing facilities on Lake Banook and visit the Mic Mac Amateur Aquatic Club.

It was there that Chisholm and Leslie battled for bragging rights — and possibly their leader’s favour — in a rowing version of the age-old tangle between Halifax and Dartmouth. Leslie rowed with three club members as part of Team Halifax (obviously) while Chisholm and three others fittingly made up the Team Dartmouth contingent.

Although Mulcair was to serve as judge for the friendly competition, there wasn’t much judging required. It only took a few strokes for the Halifax boat to pull away from Chisholm and the Dartmouth crew. (In fairness, three of the members of the Halifax crew were from Dartmouth.) Post-race photos show Chisholm looking a little wetter than his caucus colleague, although he, Leslie and Mulcair were all sporting medals for their efforts.

Can’t keep Gosse down

Sydney-Whitney Pier NDP MLA Gordie Gosse made another appearance at Province House last week.

Although Gosse is on leave from his duties while undergoing treatment for cancer, the veteran Cape Breton representative was in town to take in a caucus meeting and say hello to a few people. Proving you can’t keep the former steelworker down for too long, Gosse has managed to work in a few meetings during his treatment process.

While he’s dropped some weight and his voice is still recovering from surgery, Gosse said he’s feeling good. He credited his wife, Sue, for keeping him on the straight and narrow. With some treatment remaining, Gosse said he remains hopeful he’ll be back in action when the House resumes for the autumn sitting.

Attention deal seekers

If you’ve always wanted to own your own dump truck or grader, here’s your chance.

The government surplus auction is Saturday and a news release promises “great deals on vehicles, heavy equipment, office furniture and a host of other interesting items.”

According to the release, “interesting items” include cars and half-ton trucks, a loader, backhoe, farm tractor and assorted parts for vehicles.

Photos are available online at auctionad.ca and all profits go “toward improving the province’s bottom line,” according to the release, although unless the auction includes surplus government Ferraris, Monets and Crown jewels, it likely won’t make that much of an impact on the bottom line.